Luke Skywalker VC Imperial Light Cruiser Review

 In December of 2020, in the season 2 finale of The Mandalorian, we saw what would become one of the best scenes ever put to film in all of Star Wars: Luke Skywalker coming to rescue Grogu, and in turn helping Din Djarin, Fennec Shand, Cara Dune, Bo Katan-Kryze and Koska Reeves survive the Darktroopers. Collectors demanded a Luke Skywalker figure to capture this moment, and here we are a bit over 2 years later, and it's finally here! Although SH Figuarts did one first, Hasbro gives Imperial Light Cruiser Luke Skywalker his Hasbro debut in the Vintage Collection!

This is a partial newly tooled figure. The chest, and neck ball joint come from VC 175. His legs, hands, and boots are all new sculpts. Sadly, Luke does NOT have the double barbell neck joint which allows better downward movement or the new ball jointed hips most of the newer figures have, which is a slight disappointment. He does have 16 POA, the biggest upgrade are swivel thighs that allow some better posing, as seen in a couple photos. But sadly, the older ball socket hips are difficult to pose, and he still takes a LOT of effort for a THWG, but it can be done, it just takes a long time to do it, and he admittedly looks awkward in the pose. But having rocker ankles makes balancing him easy.

 One big change, as I got this figure from different vendors (Hasbro Pulse & Entertainment Earth) are the head sculpts. The one from Pulse looks much different than the Entertainment Earth version, which has what looks to be a slightly larger head sculpt. Both have photo real updates of the VC 175 head sculpt and it does look much better compared to its predecessor. I'm not claiming a "variant" by any means but it looks like a change was made mid production, and here is your proof of that.

One thing Hasbro didn't skimp out on is accessories! Luke comes with a ignited lightsaber and unlit hilt, which can fit onto his belt. He also comes with his Skiff Guard blaster for some reason, but since I lost a Cloud City Guard blaster I'm giving that blaster to them so all is good! He also comes with a black cloak that drapes very well on the figure, and can be used for other figures, like my dark side Rey Palpatine. When I heard Luke's lightsaber was smaller, I feared a repeat of the Obi-Wan Kenobi figure from his miniseries, but that isn't the case. Hasbro gets it right, and it is the perfect size. Luke can also hold his older green lightsabers as well. Which is what I go for since I like that flare out of the emitter as it reminds me of the 90's era comics. 

 Now I got extras to do some hand swaps, however I wouldn't recommend it. The hands on this and VC 175 are too different, as are the boots. But I give credit to Hasbro for making this taller than VC 175, as I have complained for years (I collect Star Wars so complaining is second nature to me, LOL) that Luke has been too short. Here, his height is right. He is taller than Ahsoka by a head length, and no longer eye to eye with Jyn Erso, and he's in scale with Dark Times Vader as well.

Now is he essential for your collection? Is air essential for survival?! Of course he is! With a slight trim of the tabbards you have a Dagobah/Home One/Ewok Village Conversation Luke Skywalker from Return of the Jedi. And get ready to see this figure again as an upcoming deluxe figure later this year and early next year. Is he a good figure, yes. Could Hasbro have done more to make this better, yes. But he is the best Disney era Luke Skywalker figure, and so far is the best VC Luke ever made. For now.